National Republican., 1887-05-23

An unusually large congregation filled
the Fourth Presbyterian Church yesterday
morning, due in to the number Of strangers
in the city at this time.
The President and Mrs. Cleveland occu-
pied their accustomed pew and were atten-
tive listeners.
Rev. DIR. Sunderland's subject was "The
Gospel Discovery" the text being from
the EphesIaus III, 8, "Which in other ages
was not made known TO the sons of men, as
II 10 now revealed with His holy apostles
and prophets by the spirit" That is, he
said, tit was not at first so clearly aud fully
made known" Discovery has marked the
history Of mankind from the beginning,
and this whole chapter, so full Of apostolic
fervor, is an assertion Of the fact that the
gospel Of human salvation by Jesus Christ
was one comparatively unknown TO the
world, but In course OF time has been made
known, and is now widely proclaimed.
: In this sense the gospel Of Christ is as
science. 1t is measurebly clear that once
mankind knew little or nothing Of those
great arts which In modern times have 90
largely contributed to the comfort and civ
ilization of the world.
There was time when the knowledge of
the dominant professions was only meager
in contrast with what II is now. We have
but to think for moment to perceive what
invention has done for the dominion OF
mind over the elements and forces OF ma
ture, and how the powers OF the human
race have thus been augmented.
Take the single article Of glass, for exam
pie, unknown when the time Of making It
commenced, but we can trace IL back to the
early ages OF Egypt, where we find the first
40 yxrxx 4h.s. orl 80 a..
IL was recently claimed that French
genius had discovered the art OF making
Inalleable glass, which has heretofore been
held impossible Some had thought It
might be q lost art. Be this as II may, we
are to observe the fact that no material
discovered by man is more distinguished for
utility; Its uses are without limit and Its aid
is marvellous. To this substance, applied
In so many ways, science itself Is largely In
debted for It's advancement. 1t has In every
way helped to extend and magnify our
conceptions Of the universe, and OF the
wisdom, goodness, and power Of Him who
created 1t. 1t is at once mirror and
screen.
It plays an important part in so many
things. 1t forms the buckle OF the light
niDgs harness while bearing our messages
to the ends of the earth. And II 1t be true
that 1t can be made malleable, there Is no
conceiving the part 1t has yet to play In the
progress OF the world, and yet the origin OF
this discovery is lost In obscurity. Sup
pose we knew its origin, that would not
help us In It's application, which alone
confers its benefits.
Take the case of the gutta percha, and
the experiments OF man who finally
stumbled by chance upon the secret he had
been searching for SO long. The life of
Goodyear is one Of the most remarkable Of
modern times No pilgrim to any shrine,
no martyr to any cause was ever more
ardent, and what discovery 1t has been.
so we may say OF the compass, OF steam,
Of magnetism, OF electricity.
In how many ways have the powers of
man been extended, through these elements
end forces, and now 1t seems men are find
Ing out new and wonderful uses and, per-
haps, new slumbering powers which have
been lying all this time just beneath their
eyes. There was once time when all these
things were mysteries; they were not made
known to the sons Of men as they are now
revealed to those whom God is pleased to
qualify and inspire for their discovery. AL
these things were to the generations as
though they were not. They were hidden
for ages, and then by flash Of thought,
which seems like inspiration, they have
been discovered and revealed, and does
1t make any difference as to their
present practical value for us to know
how they were discovered or who revealed
them? We do not stop to speculate upon
their nature or to search out the secrets Of
their power.
And yet this is hardly complete state
ment, because there Is a sentiment OF honor
and gratitude which ennobles humanity
and which goes out to every benefactor Of
the world IN proportion to the benefits con-
ferred, and while things that prove to be of
little or no utility upon experience become
obsolete, 1t is those things from which men
are constantly reaping some advantage
that they do not cast away. This is the
fundamental principle Of our nation.
We reject that which from experience
we find TO be useless.
Now wish to apply these observations to
the religion of Christianity, the gospel Of
Christ, which was so long hidden, but is
now abundantly revealed.
]. We ought to judge Of 1t from its own
inherent nature, not by. outside circum-
stances, nor by counterparts OF IL, nor by
pseudo samples of 1t. Study 1t as you lind
It, not as you think 1t ought to be. Ifyou
are doubtfal Of Its origin you cannot be
doubtful of Its nature.
Q. Then, again, you must Judge OF II by
personal knowledge Of It. No man can do
the gospel justice who does not know 1t In
his own consciousness. Experience is the
test Of II. No man can understand the
vital nature Of the gospel whofegards 1t
simply from hearsay, or what he observes
Of 1t Though the outward senses. No man
can justly Judge of the truth and efficacy
OF the gospel who y .. J., strange, tra to the
8. There is, indeed, q asecondary test-that
is, the observed effect of any element or
force. There Is kind Of Judgment which
proceeds upon this principle.
Now as to the gospel, its effects are q
new discovery to each individual brought
under Its power, and that discovery will be
continuous and perpetual. But the general
effects upon individuals and upon society
may be observed, and we claim that there
Is nothing among men Of an influence so
potent as this divine grace to promote the
order, peace, security, and happiness Of
mankind.
A. Much depends likewise upon the man
ner in which the gospel as a discoveryis to
be examined and judged. II you undertake.
cal criterion OF criticism you may be sure
OF failure In your demonstrations. You
will find more objections to 1t than you
will be able to answer I'm your lifetime.
II you would prove the truth and the bless
ing Of the Christian faith you must thor
oughly and practically inhale 1t. You
must have no butts, nor ands, nor IFS about
it. You must resolve to live and die by 1t,
and unless you can reach this period Of de-
monstration 1t will do you no good to have
heard and known the gospel.
5. Then there is class OF men who rise
up and say II this is so, what is to become
OF all those who die never having heard the
gospelp Now, this is being wise above
what is written. Shall not the Judge OF
all the earth do rlght9 The Bible says that
the heather are without excuse, because
they do not live up TO the light they have.
1t says those who sin without law shall
punish without law. Ii says go preach the
gospel to every creature; the believing shall
be saved, the rejecting shall be damned,
The gospel is the discovery OF the ages,
because II ia the specific remedy for in.sick
souls. IL Will cure the soul as surely as
apy medicine CureR disaaRa